How do you safely clean engine?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,023
Likes: 1,181
From: La Mesa CA
How do you safely clean engine?
I have a 71 350.
I want to clean the engine and engine compartment. I have had several c4s and water did horrible things to the sensors and electrical system. Is that the case with a 71? Can I power wash it? What about simple green and hose?
Thanks
Glenn
I want to clean the engine and engine compartment. I have had several c4s and water did horrible things to the sensors and electrical system. Is that the case with a 71? Can I power wash it? What about simple green and hose?
Thanks
Glenn
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Wrap your distributor and carb well in plastic, spray everything down with degreaser and brake cleaner, and pressure wash what you can. If you have wires or hoses that fail during this process then they needed to be replaced anyway.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader vette
Im from the old school I guess, we always let the motor run and if it started to bog we would quit spraying that spot . These all had very few connectors though. not like the shi":> loads we have now days.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
DON'T DO IT!
If you feel you must do it, be VERY very careful.
The chemicals used to "degrease" do just that...Very well. Were talking about litterally drying up the innards of your distributor, starter, (distributor) HEI. (I had to buy a new starter, Alternator & new coil)..."Got Cash?"
Believe me, this stuff has grease intentianally put in there...Yes, even your ditributor. The degreaser will kill it. [speaking with personal experience here
]
Not to mention, rubber & plastic is primarily made from...Oil based products. You are litterally drying & prematurely killing all plastic, rubber, hoses & fittings.
-I'm sure some detail guys will agree with me here, as I am almost certain some other detail guys will flame me. I'm just giving you my own personal experience.
Andy in Oregon
If you feel you must do it, be VERY very careful.
The chemicals used to "degrease" do just that...Very well. Were talking about litterally drying up the innards of your distributor, starter, (distributor) HEI. (I had to buy a new starter, Alternator & new coil)..."Got Cash?"
Believe me, this stuff has grease intentianally put in there...Yes, even your ditributor. The degreaser will kill it. [speaking with personal experience here
]Not to mention, rubber & plastic is primarily made from...Oil based products. You are litterally drying & prematurely killing all plastic, rubber, hoses & fittings.
-I'm sure some detail guys will agree with me here, as I am almost certain some other detail guys will flame me. I'm just giving you my own personal experience.
Andy in Oregon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
I have always been told Simple Green and a hose are adequate for an engine that isn't covered with gunk. The more aggressive de-greasers do run the risk of damaging wires, hoses and engine paint.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Okay, so considering the careful aspect of not using degreaser...how do you suggest someone clean their engine bay?
I have done it several times in multiple vehicles with no adverse reactions.
I have done it several times in multiple vehicles with no adverse reactions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
Well, if it's a dirt ball, then just have the engine bay professionally steam cleaned. That will, however, remove a lot of the paint from the engine. That may not matter since you will probably want to paint the engine after you've removed the crud. When repainting an engine in the car, aluminum foil can be used to mask pieces you don't want to get overspray on. If it is just dirty then less aggressive cleaners will produce good results with either a hose and pressure nozzle or a coin op car wash (my personal preferance). This will generally leave you on non-speaking terms with the guy who owns/manages the coin op. The best approach is to paint the engine out of the car, but I sure wouldn't pull an engine just to paint it unless the car was being prepared for concours competition.
Last edited by RagTop69; Feb 12, 2007 at 08:11 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 550
Likes: 2
From: smithfield nc usa 27577
I like simple green
I also use hand cleaner...gojo...or some thing along those lines....works great and only goes where you put it.
I do this on hoses or what ever ....orange makes it smell good too.
I also use hand cleaner...gojo...or some thing along those lines....works great and only goes where you put it.
I do this on hoses or what ever ....orange makes it smell good too.